Preventive Effect of Hydroethanolic Extract of Aerva lanata Leaf on Iron Overload-Induced Oxidative Stress

Abstract

Excess iron is a major cause of iron-induced oxidative stress and a number of diseases. Plants like Aerva lanata, offer a mitigative potential against iron-induced oxidative damage. This study aimed at determining the antioxidant enhancing potential of hydroethanolic extract of Aerva lanata (HEAL) leaf against iron overload-induced oxidative damage.  Thirty-six male Wistar rats were randomised into six groups. Group 1 received 0.5 mL of distilled water while groups 2-6 were given treatments consisting of intraperitoneally administration of iron dextran (100 mg/kg) plus oral administration of 0.5 mL of distilled water, 20 mg/kg deferasirox, 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg of the extract respectively for 21 days. The extract was assessed for a number of secondary metabolites as well as its in-vitro antioxidant capacity while biochemical parameters of oxidative stress and iron overload were assessed in the rats. Six secondary metabolites were found in the extract, with cardiac glycosides (270.60 mg/L) being the most abundant while flavonoids (2.56 mg/L) were the least prevalent, exhibiting antioxidant and free radical scavenging capabilities, with the inhibitory concentrations (IC₅₀) of 41.19 g/mL (DPPH), 258.154 g/mL (ABTS). Treatment with HEAL significantly reduced the increased serum iron level in iron-overload oxidative stressed animals, and reduced AST, ALP, MDA levels, and increased antioxidant activities. The antioxidant and free radical-scavenging activities of HEAL discovered in this study have shown that HEAL treatment can strengthen the antioxidant defenses against iron overload-induced oxidative stress in rats and might contribute to the mechanism by which HEAL prevents the liver from iron loaded-induced oxidative stress